Disclaimer: I do not own Fairview International or Slam dunk.
Chapter 14
Back At Last
Three days had passed, her bruises still did hurt slightly but they weren't as visible as before. She could now talk without having to suffer pain. //Three days! I am still stuck here… damn those idiotic friends of mine! Why won't they let me go home? Stuck here, in this bed… in this place stinking of medicine with no one to talk to. Aaaaa! I so want to go home. // Everybody had visited her, and she had enjoyed their company to the max. She missed her friends and she missed school. A hospital could get only so interesting and Trishna was dying to be back in school where the action was. However she had a full-proof plan and now was the time to carry it out.
The Shohoku team had other things to worry about. Anzai sensei had managed to arrange a practice game for the team against the Kainandai team and although they had been practicing regularly Akagi wasn't sure if they would manage to do so well. After the incident Mitsui had become more 'closed up'. He practiced without any complaints but he wasn't doing his best. Akagi had already approached him on the topic saying that he would always be there if he needed a friend but Mitsui just nodded his head and continued practicing. He was a key player to the team and the fact that he wasn't doing so well affected the team greatly. Akagi sighed and just prayed for the best.
//Hmm… so this is Kainan High… it's real nice… I wonder where the gym is, // with that Trishna approached a student and asked him to point her in the direction of the gym. The student stared at her openly and after realizing that he was staring he apologized and pointed her towards the gym. Trishna thanked him and went on her way. //Sounds like there's a crowd. I take it that this is going to be one good game. Yosh! Fun once again! // People stared at her and she totally ignored them, or at least she tried. She couldn't be angry with them after all her face did look pretty bad. She had a huge black eye and below that, a small cut was still visible. Most of the bruises had already healed but the black eye still needed time and it was that which drew attention to her. She started feeling a bit uneasy under the stares of practically everyone in the compound and so she quickened her pace. She was starting to feel a bit guilty for checking out of the hospital without any of her friends knowing… but she just couldn't stand the thought of spending another day there alone. She reached the gym and she stepped in.
He didn't feel up to playing against Kainan, but his teammates and friends were depending on him. He stood in the huddle listening to Anzai sensei's strategy, however his mind was elsewhere. The huddle broke up and it was the time for the starting line-up to approach the court. He turned but saw something out of the corner of his eye and stopped dead in his tracks.
Kogure stared at Mitsui's sudden reaction. "Mitsui… daijobou?" Kogure inquired, however he wasn't answered. Kogure followed Mitsui's gaze and he too was also stunned at what he saw.
//What's wrong with them? What are they staring at? // Sendoh looked at the whole Shohoku team who were all like statues staring at something. He followed their gazes and it landed on a certain girl. She had just entered the gym and was proceeding towards the Shohoku team. She had a black eye and her eyes were filled with hesitation and fear. Suddenly it him, and he gasped on realizing who she was.
Maki saw the girl walk towards the Shohoku team. He was shocked at her appearance. She had a black eye, however she seemed oblivious to the commotion that she was causing, and just continued on her path. Even the Rukawa fan brigade was quiet for once.
She was starting to feel real uneasy now. Everybody was looking at her, even the opposing team was eyeing her warily. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she reached the bench.
"What are you doing here?" asked Mitsui hoarsely. Trishna winced at the sound of his voice and the way he was looking at her. "Hmm… so that's how you welcome me back huh? So much for manners! As for your question… it is kind of obvious! I am here to support y'all!" she answered chirpily, hiding her disappointment at how she was being treated.
Mitsui couldn't believe it. She was there standing right in front of him as if nothing had happened. //What the heck is wrong with her? She shouldn't be here. She should be in the hospital being taken care of by professionals. // "Maki… I am sorry but I was wondering if this game could wait for about half an hour… I need to take her back to the hospital" stated Mitsui. His voice had taken on a deadly tone and not once did he look away from the girl in front of him.
Maki just stared at the scene in front of his eyes; he didn't know how to react to Mitsui's words. //What the hell was going on between that girl, Mitsui and the team? But she didn't look fit enough to be out the hospital… I guess I should allow him, after all he said half an hour rite? No big deal. // He was about to say yes when he realized that the girl was looking at him. He stared at her injured eye and words failed him.
//Okay… this is getting a bit irritating! I so don't deserve this! It is my life and I know what I am doing// with that she said confidently "Hey! You are Maki, rite? Captain of the Kainan team?" he didn't answer her but she continued "Good luck for the game! And do you mind not staring at me so much… it is making me a bit edgy… hope you don't mind if I stay and watch. Oh! And don't worry I have been discharged from the hospital and so it is perfectly fine if I am here… as long as you don't mind." Maki now seemed to see her in a different light. She was confident and she didn't mind talking directly and frankly to him. //Hmm… interesting. I guess that if she has been discharged she has all the right to be here. // and finally he nodded his head giving her his approval.
"I don't think so… you are going back to the hospital… even if I have to carry you there against your will" stated Mitsui still maintaining his deadly tone only now he was glaring at her. //Why did she have to be so stubborn? //
"I don't think so… hey Micchy please stop treating me like this. I really don't deserve it… I came here to support the team and I intend on doing so. Please drop it" her tone had now taken on a pleading note, but still the guy in front of her continued glaring at her. Trishna sighed and looked around at all the other team members. They were all looking at her and the confusion in their eyes was easily noted by Trishna. She felt like bursting out at the guy in front of her but she didn't have the heart to go against him. Her eyes finally landed on the raven haired boy.
She was there standing in front of Mitsui pleading him to allow her to watch the game but Mitsui wouldn't seem to listen to her. She was his one real friend and now he acknowledged that fact openly. "Oi! Baka! How did you get here?" he muttered softly.
For the first time since entering that gym she felt happy. "Me? I walked and got a cab" she stated matter-of –factly, then added with a touch of amusement in her voice "Hey! Rukawa! Better watch out… I think you are melting!" That statement earned her a grin from the raven haired boy who now continued on his way to the court. She turned to look at all of the other players once again, only now they were all grinning at her. She smiled at all of them but one; they guy in front of her. He remained glaring and he didn't know the amount of grief he was giving her just by doing that.
"Micchy… please stop. I don't deserve this… I am not going to break if you were to touch me, trust me I am no where close to being fragile. Stop it please. You're not the only one hurting okay! I am too, but life is too short to spend it worrying about everything in life." She sighed and the continued "I have no regrets about what happened that day or the day before. I enjoyed myself thoroughly when I was talking to you and believe it or not I also enjoyed it a lot when I managed to piss that guy, Aoshi, off. Sadistic and suicidal I know it may seem but that's the truth. It was an experience, not exactly a nice one but still it happened and you can't do anything to change that fact. As much as you pray and wish that you can… the point is you can't… you are only human. Please stop doing this to yourself. You don't deserve it. I am not at all and never have I been angry with you for what happened. I didn't and I still don't blame you for what happened, so stop beating yourself up for nothing" her voice now a barely audible whisper. A single tear escaped from her eye and found it's way down her cheek.
//I can't believe this! She is on the verge of tears because of me! No… not because I was at fault for her kidnapping but because I am blaming me for that which she believes is not my fault. She is about to cry for me. I don't deserve her… she can do better than me and from now I'll just be her friend.// He looked down at her and lifted her chin with his finger so that she was looking at him face to face.
"No! Micchy! She has been kidnaped again! She is gone! She isn't there in the hospital! We got to go find her."
Trishna winced at the sound of Samantha yelling her lungs out. She tore her gaze from Mitsui and looked at the three girls who stood at the entrance with their jaws touching the floor. "I left a note at reception… didn't you get it" she stated calmly as she noticed that Sammy's cast had finally been removed. "Yeah! I got it but I thought that it was from Aoshi" said Samantha softly as she was still shocked at seeing her friend here. That and she was standing so very close to Mitsui. "Darling Sammy… only I know your nickname Little Pink Piglet and I even signed it as Big Brown Cow! Oh yeah… and Aoshi is in jail you idiot!" Trishna sighed. "I didn't think of that. I thought that you were kidnapped again and he had forced you into writing this note" said Samantha who was finally recovering from the initial shock. "You and your over active imagination!" stated Trishna a grin slowly spreading over her face.
Finally Samantha seemed to grasp the whole situation, and she stared at her friend incredulously "You discharged yourself without telling any of us. You cow! Why did you do that?..." and she went on and on questioning her friend's actions never actually giving Trishna time to answer as the whole gravity of the situation dawned upon her. Then without warning she, Preet and Sunny lunged for Trishna.
"Uh oh! Trouble!" Trishna quickly scanned the court for help and her eyes landed on Rukawa but after thinking about it she realized that he would most probably enjoy seeing Samantha bash her up. She continued scanning the crowd knowing that her time was running out and finally she spotted her savior and ran directly to him.
She hid herself behind a very shocked Sendoh. It seemed that he wasn't very use to being used as a shield but Trishna knew that he was her best bet against Sammy. A very scary looking Sammy stood in front of Sendoh demanding that Trishna give up. "I don't think so. Darling… I just returned from the hospital and I don't think that I could stand the idea of having to go back there just because you felt insulted that I never informed you that I was leaving and thus decided to bash me. No way!" "Trishna if you don't come up front… I'll hurt Sendoh just so as to get to you." stated a very irritated Samantha. Sendoh was now eyeing Sammy warily as he recalled the violent pictures she had shown him of her first fight when she had come to Japan. "My dearest friend… I may be slow… but I am so not blind! I know that you have a thing for this guy, why do you think I chose him as my shield… you wouldn't hurt a hair on him thanks to your feelings!" said Trishna totally satisfied that she had managed to distract her friend.
Sendoh on the other hand didn't like the way things were turning out. He looked at the girl who was now blushing furiously thanks to her friend's statement. He didn't know whether this was a good reaction but in a way he was glad that Trishna had broached the subject with her friend… only he wished that she had done so under more personnel surroundings.
Samantha felt like Murdering Trishna for saying that, but somehow she had a nagging feeling that Trish was actually speaking the truth and so she stood blushing furiously not knowing how to react.
Seeing that Trishna had managed to outwit Samantha, Preet and Sunny backed away not knowing what other weird tactics she may use to get them.
Trishna walked back to the team extremely pleased with what had just happened. She had been meaning to talk to Sammy about this certain person but things happened and she never was able to. She did feel a bit guilty for using Sendoh but she knew that it was the only way. She had done him a favor. Sammy was so dense when it came to relationships that she never knew that she had fallen for a guy until after she was totally head over heals for him. She never was able to see the signs but Trish knew them and she had observed Sammy whenever she was with Sendoh and she had to admit that Sammy was slowly but surely falling for him.
"Do you always cause this much trouble where ever you go?" inquired a very amused Akagi after seeing what had happened between Sammy, Sendoh and her. "Remember… trouble with a capital T. Anyway, I don't think that you want me to start about you and Preet rite… so don't push it" answered Trishna cheekily. Hanamichi was laughing out loud whilst everyone else was either socked, or trying their level best not to laugh. Akagi looked at Trishna and smiled happy to see that she was her usual self once again and because of that he let it drop.
The game ended in a tie. It was totally intense and the only reason that they didn't continue into extra time was because after all that had taken place at the beginning of the game, a lot of time had been wasted hence it was already really late when the game ended.
Trishna joyously entered the house and immediately entered the living room sat down on her favorite couch and started talking with her best friends. Samantha was still quite confused about her feelings and it was this that they talked about for three hours straight pausing only twice; first to order food and the second time to pick it up. At about 10pm they broke up and Trishna went to her room, glad to be back, and immediately steeped into the shower. When she finished she called Kogure to find out something after which she packed a small bag with some drinks, snacks and a blanket, then headed out ignoring her friends complaints.
"Thought that I'd find you here… are you okay?" He whirled around shocked to find her there right in front of him. "How did you find this place?" he asked softly, "I called Kogure and he told me that there was only one place like the one I described after which I called a cab and hiked up here. Want one?" she tossed him a canned drink and then proceeded to open one for herself.
She stood in front of him and they stared at each other for quite a while. She had managed to sound off hand when she talked to him but inside she was so doubtful whether this was the right thing to do. //How am I going to start… we need to talk and get this over with// sighing she looked up at the sky only to realize that it was a totally perfect night. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the sky looked like in was a reflection of the glittering city below them.
He watched her quietly all the time trying to sort through the web of emotions that were building up within him. "I am glad that you are okay" he whispered, breaking the silence with that statement. She looked at him and smiled. //It's so nice to have her back… but she has to know// shrugging his shoulders he looked at the sky and started telling her all about his past sins.
She stood there silently listening to him pour his heart out to her. She felt honored and she then finally realized exactly how much he meant to her. She saw the tears stream down his face but still she just stood there waiting and listening.
He had finally told it to her, all of it. He was afraid to see her face and the rejection that was sure to be there in her eyes, but finally he summoned enough courage to look at her.
She stood there smiling at him. "Mitsui, why do always seem to look at me as if you've seen a ghost or something? Am I really that scary?" She approached him slowly and then softly added "That was your past and I am not going to judge you as the person you were… I am standing here judging you as the man that you are right now. I'll never ever judge you based on your past… understand?" She was now looking up at his face. She was still smiling at him and he finally couldn't handle it anymore. His wall of cool control crumbled right in front of him and he fell to his knees, tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. All the time he was wrapped in her arms and she continued hugging him until he had finally settled down after which she took out the blanket and they lay together on the grass staring up at the stunningly peaceful sky overhead.
~*~
Chapter 14
Back At Last
Three days had passed, her bruises still did hurt slightly but they weren't as visible as before. She could now talk without having to suffer pain. //Three days! I am still stuck here… damn those idiotic friends of mine! Why won't they let me go home? Stuck here, in this bed… in this place stinking of medicine with no one to talk to. Aaaaa! I so want to go home. // Everybody had visited her, and she had enjoyed their company to the max. She missed her friends and she missed school. A hospital could get only so interesting and Trishna was dying to be back in school where the action was. However she had a full-proof plan and now was the time to carry it out.
The Shohoku team had other things to worry about. Anzai sensei had managed to arrange a practice game for the team against the Kainandai team and although they had been practicing regularly Akagi wasn't sure if they would manage to do so well. After the incident Mitsui had become more 'closed up'. He practiced without any complaints but he wasn't doing his best. Akagi had already approached him on the topic saying that he would always be there if he needed a friend but Mitsui just nodded his head and continued practicing. He was a key player to the team and the fact that he wasn't doing so well affected the team greatly. Akagi sighed and just prayed for the best.
//Hmm… so this is Kainan High… it's real nice… I wonder where the gym is, // with that Trishna approached a student and asked him to point her in the direction of the gym. The student stared at her openly and after realizing that he was staring he apologized and pointed her towards the gym. Trishna thanked him and went on her way. //Sounds like there's a crowd. I take it that this is going to be one good game. Yosh! Fun once again! // People stared at her and she totally ignored them, or at least she tried. She couldn't be angry with them after all her face did look pretty bad. She had a huge black eye and below that, a small cut was still visible. Most of the bruises had already healed but the black eye still needed time and it was that which drew attention to her. She started feeling a bit uneasy under the stares of practically everyone in the compound and so she quickened her pace. She was starting to feel a bit guilty for checking out of the hospital without any of her friends knowing… but she just couldn't stand the thought of spending another day there alone. She reached the gym and she stepped in.
He didn't feel up to playing against Kainan, but his teammates and friends were depending on him. He stood in the huddle listening to Anzai sensei's strategy, however his mind was elsewhere. The huddle broke up and it was the time for the starting line-up to approach the court. He turned but saw something out of the corner of his eye and stopped dead in his tracks.
Kogure stared at Mitsui's sudden reaction. "Mitsui… daijobou?" Kogure inquired, however he wasn't answered. Kogure followed Mitsui's gaze and he too was also stunned at what he saw.
//What's wrong with them? What are they staring at? // Sendoh looked at the whole Shohoku team who were all like statues staring at something. He followed their gazes and it landed on a certain girl. She had just entered the gym and was proceeding towards the Shohoku team. She had a black eye and her eyes were filled with hesitation and fear. Suddenly it him, and he gasped on realizing who she was.
Maki saw the girl walk towards the Shohoku team. He was shocked at her appearance. She had a black eye, however she seemed oblivious to the commotion that she was causing, and just continued on her path. Even the Rukawa fan brigade was quiet for once.
She was starting to feel real uneasy now. Everybody was looking at her, even the opposing team was eyeing her warily. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she reached the bench.
"What are you doing here?" asked Mitsui hoarsely. Trishna winced at the sound of his voice and the way he was looking at her. "Hmm… so that's how you welcome me back huh? So much for manners! As for your question… it is kind of obvious! I am here to support y'all!" she answered chirpily, hiding her disappointment at how she was being treated.
Mitsui couldn't believe it. She was there standing right in front of him as if nothing had happened. //What the heck is wrong with her? She shouldn't be here. She should be in the hospital being taken care of by professionals. // "Maki… I am sorry but I was wondering if this game could wait for about half an hour… I need to take her back to the hospital" stated Mitsui. His voice had taken on a deadly tone and not once did he look away from the girl in front of him.
Maki just stared at the scene in front of his eyes; he didn't know how to react to Mitsui's words. //What the hell was going on between that girl, Mitsui and the team? But she didn't look fit enough to be out the hospital… I guess I should allow him, after all he said half an hour rite? No big deal. // He was about to say yes when he realized that the girl was looking at him. He stared at her injured eye and words failed him.
//Okay… this is getting a bit irritating! I so don't deserve this! It is my life and I know what I am doing// with that she said confidently "Hey! You are Maki, rite? Captain of the Kainan team?" he didn't answer her but she continued "Good luck for the game! And do you mind not staring at me so much… it is making me a bit edgy… hope you don't mind if I stay and watch. Oh! And don't worry I have been discharged from the hospital and so it is perfectly fine if I am here… as long as you don't mind." Maki now seemed to see her in a different light. She was confident and she didn't mind talking directly and frankly to him. //Hmm… interesting. I guess that if she has been discharged she has all the right to be here. // and finally he nodded his head giving her his approval.
"I don't think so… you are going back to the hospital… even if I have to carry you there against your will" stated Mitsui still maintaining his deadly tone only now he was glaring at her. //Why did she have to be so stubborn? //
"I don't think so… hey Micchy please stop treating me like this. I really don't deserve it… I came here to support the team and I intend on doing so. Please drop it" her tone had now taken on a pleading note, but still the guy in front of her continued glaring at her. Trishna sighed and looked around at all the other team members. They were all looking at her and the confusion in their eyes was easily noted by Trishna. She felt like bursting out at the guy in front of her but she didn't have the heart to go against him. Her eyes finally landed on the raven haired boy.
She was there standing in front of Mitsui pleading him to allow her to watch the game but Mitsui wouldn't seem to listen to her. She was his one real friend and now he acknowledged that fact openly. "Oi! Baka! How did you get here?" he muttered softly.
For the first time since entering that gym she felt happy. "Me? I walked and got a cab" she stated matter-of –factly, then added with a touch of amusement in her voice "Hey! Rukawa! Better watch out… I think you are melting!" That statement earned her a grin from the raven haired boy who now continued on his way to the court. She turned to look at all of the other players once again, only now they were all grinning at her. She smiled at all of them but one; they guy in front of her. He remained glaring and he didn't know the amount of grief he was giving her just by doing that.
"Micchy… please stop. I don't deserve this… I am not going to break if you were to touch me, trust me I am no where close to being fragile. Stop it please. You're not the only one hurting okay! I am too, but life is too short to spend it worrying about everything in life." She sighed and the continued "I have no regrets about what happened that day or the day before. I enjoyed myself thoroughly when I was talking to you and believe it or not I also enjoyed it a lot when I managed to piss that guy, Aoshi, off. Sadistic and suicidal I know it may seem but that's the truth. It was an experience, not exactly a nice one but still it happened and you can't do anything to change that fact. As much as you pray and wish that you can… the point is you can't… you are only human. Please stop doing this to yourself. You don't deserve it. I am not at all and never have I been angry with you for what happened. I didn't and I still don't blame you for what happened, so stop beating yourself up for nothing" her voice now a barely audible whisper. A single tear escaped from her eye and found it's way down her cheek.
//I can't believe this! She is on the verge of tears because of me! No… not because I was at fault for her kidnapping but because I am blaming me for that which she believes is not my fault. She is about to cry for me. I don't deserve her… she can do better than me and from now I'll just be her friend.// He looked down at her and lifted her chin with his finger so that she was looking at him face to face.
"No! Micchy! She has been kidnaped again! She is gone! She isn't there in the hospital! We got to go find her."
Trishna winced at the sound of Samantha yelling her lungs out. She tore her gaze from Mitsui and looked at the three girls who stood at the entrance with their jaws touching the floor. "I left a note at reception… didn't you get it" she stated calmly as she noticed that Sammy's cast had finally been removed. "Yeah! I got it but I thought that it was from Aoshi" said Samantha softly as she was still shocked at seeing her friend here. That and she was standing so very close to Mitsui. "Darling Sammy… only I know your nickname Little Pink Piglet and I even signed it as Big Brown Cow! Oh yeah… and Aoshi is in jail you idiot!" Trishna sighed. "I didn't think of that. I thought that you were kidnapped again and he had forced you into writing this note" said Samantha who was finally recovering from the initial shock. "You and your over active imagination!" stated Trishna a grin slowly spreading over her face.
Finally Samantha seemed to grasp the whole situation, and she stared at her friend incredulously "You discharged yourself without telling any of us. You cow! Why did you do that?..." and she went on and on questioning her friend's actions never actually giving Trishna time to answer as the whole gravity of the situation dawned upon her. Then without warning she, Preet and Sunny lunged for Trishna.
"Uh oh! Trouble!" Trishna quickly scanned the court for help and her eyes landed on Rukawa but after thinking about it she realized that he would most probably enjoy seeing Samantha bash her up. She continued scanning the crowd knowing that her time was running out and finally she spotted her savior and ran directly to him.
She hid herself behind a very shocked Sendoh. It seemed that he wasn't very use to being used as a shield but Trishna knew that he was her best bet against Sammy. A very scary looking Sammy stood in front of Sendoh demanding that Trishna give up. "I don't think so. Darling… I just returned from the hospital and I don't think that I could stand the idea of having to go back there just because you felt insulted that I never informed you that I was leaving and thus decided to bash me. No way!" "Trishna if you don't come up front… I'll hurt Sendoh just so as to get to you." stated a very irritated Samantha. Sendoh was now eyeing Sammy warily as he recalled the violent pictures she had shown him of her first fight when she had come to Japan. "My dearest friend… I may be slow… but I am so not blind! I know that you have a thing for this guy, why do you think I chose him as my shield… you wouldn't hurt a hair on him thanks to your feelings!" said Trishna totally satisfied that she had managed to distract her friend.
Sendoh on the other hand didn't like the way things were turning out. He looked at the girl who was now blushing furiously thanks to her friend's statement. He didn't know whether this was a good reaction but in a way he was glad that Trishna had broached the subject with her friend… only he wished that she had done so under more personnel surroundings.
Samantha felt like Murdering Trishna for saying that, but somehow she had a nagging feeling that Trish was actually speaking the truth and so she stood blushing furiously not knowing how to react.
Seeing that Trishna had managed to outwit Samantha, Preet and Sunny backed away not knowing what other weird tactics she may use to get them.
Trishna walked back to the team extremely pleased with what had just happened. She had been meaning to talk to Sammy about this certain person but things happened and she never was able to. She did feel a bit guilty for using Sendoh but she knew that it was the only way. She had done him a favor. Sammy was so dense when it came to relationships that she never knew that she had fallen for a guy until after she was totally head over heals for him. She never was able to see the signs but Trish knew them and she had observed Sammy whenever she was with Sendoh and she had to admit that Sammy was slowly but surely falling for him.
"Do you always cause this much trouble where ever you go?" inquired a very amused Akagi after seeing what had happened between Sammy, Sendoh and her. "Remember… trouble with a capital T. Anyway, I don't think that you want me to start about you and Preet rite… so don't push it" answered Trishna cheekily. Hanamichi was laughing out loud whilst everyone else was either socked, or trying their level best not to laugh. Akagi looked at Trishna and smiled happy to see that she was her usual self once again and because of that he let it drop.
The game ended in a tie. It was totally intense and the only reason that they didn't continue into extra time was because after all that had taken place at the beginning of the game, a lot of time had been wasted hence it was already really late when the game ended.
Trishna joyously entered the house and immediately entered the living room sat down on her favorite couch and started talking with her best friends. Samantha was still quite confused about her feelings and it was this that they talked about for three hours straight pausing only twice; first to order food and the second time to pick it up. At about 10pm they broke up and Trishna went to her room, glad to be back, and immediately steeped into the shower. When she finished she called Kogure to find out something after which she packed a small bag with some drinks, snacks and a blanket, then headed out ignoring her friends complaints.
"Thought that I'd find you here… are you okay?" He whirled around shocked to find her there right in front of him. "How did you find this place?" he asked softly, "I called Kogure and he told me that there was only one place like the one I described after which I called a cab and hiked up here. Want one?" she tossed him a canned drink and then proceeded to open one for herself.
She stood in front of him and they stared at each other for quite a while. She had managed to sound off hand when she talked to him but inside she was so doubtful whether this was the right thing to do. //How am I going to start… we need to talk and get this over with// sighing she looked up at the sky only to realize that it was a totally perfect night. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the sky looked like in was a reflection of the glittering city below them.
He watched her quietly all the time trying to sort through the web of emotions that were building up within him. "I am glad that you are okay" he whispered, breaking the silence with that statement. She looked at him and smiled. //It's so nice to have her back… but she has to know// shrugging his shoulders he looked at the sky and started telling her all about his past sins.
She stood there silently listening to him pour his heart out to her. She felt honored and she then finally realized exactly how much he meant to her. She saw the tears stream down his face but still she just stood there waiting and listening.
He had finally told it to her, all of it. He was afraid to see her face and the rejection that was sure to be there in her eyes, but finally he summoned enough courage to look at her.
She stood there smiling at him. "Mitsui, why do always seem to look at me as if you've seen a ghost or something? Am I really that scary?" She approached him slowly and then softly added "That was your past and I am not going to judge you as the person you were… I am standing here judging you as the man that you are right now. I'll never ever judge you based on your past… understand?" She was now looking up at his face. She was still smiling at him and he finally couldn't handle it anymore. His wall of cool control crumbled right in front of him and he fell to his knees, tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. All the time he was wrapped in her arms and she continued hugging him until he had finally settled down after which she took out the blanket and they lay together on the grass staring up at the stunningly peaceful sky overhead.
~*~